EP 1892736 A2 20080227 - Handheld electronic device and keyboard having multiple function keys
Title (en)
Handheld electronic device and keyboard having multiple function keys
Title (de)
Tragbare elektronische Vorrichtung und Tastatur mit Multifunktionstasten
Title (fr)
Dispositif électronique portable et clavier doté de plusieurs touches de fonction
Publication
Application
Priority
EP 04250990 A 20040224
Abstract (en)
An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keyboard provides enhanced usability with fewer keys by enabling the keys to pivot slightly to provide multiple functions to the keys. The improved keyboard may, for example, include internal strips of conductive carbon that are disposed adjacent the keys and are electrically engageable with contacts on a printed circuit board. Specifically, when a key is pressed directly downward it collapses a single dome and connects together a set of primary contacts to provide a first function. When the key is pressed at the side thereof, the key pivots slightly, collapses the dome and connects together the primary contacts, and also engages a carbon strip with a pair of secondary contacts to connect together the secondary contacts, all of which provide a second function. The keyboard may be configured to be of a QWERTY configuration while using only a relatively small number of keys.
IPC 8 full level
H01H 13/70 (2006.01); G06F 1/16 (2006.01); G06F 3/023 (2006.01); H01H 13/807 (2006.01); H01H 23/00 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
H01H 13/70 (2013.01); H01H 13/807 (2013.01); H01H 23/003 (2013.01); H01H 2203/02 (2013.01); H01H 2205/026 (2013.01); H01H 2209/014 (2013.01); H01H 2221/016 (2013.01); H01H 2225/01 (2013.01)
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated extension state (EPC)
AL BA HR LT LV MK RS
DOCDB simple family (publication)
EP 1575069 A1 20050914; EP 1575069 B1 20071212; AT E381105 T1 20071215; AT E452414 T1 20100115; CA 2497986 A1 20050824; CA 2497986 C 20111115; DE 602004010611 D1 20080124; DE 602004010611 T2 20081211; DE 602004024724 D1 20100128; EP 1892736 A2 20080227; EP 1892736 A3 20080521; EP 1892736 B1 20091216; HK 1079615 A1 20060407
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 04250990 A 20040224; AT 04250990 T 20040224; AT 07119733 T 20040224; CA 2497986 A 20050223; DE 602004010611 T 20040224; DE 602004024724 T 20040224; EP 07119733 A 20040224; HK 06101730 A 20060209